PFF youth league draws 10,000 players nationwide

MANILA — More than 10,000 young football players are competing in the Philippine Football Federation’s inaugural RFA Youth League, a nationwide grassroots program involving 618 teams across 39 regional football associations.

The competition, which began in August and runs through November 2026, provides regular matches for under-11 and under-13 players through 8v8 football and futsal.

More teams are expected to begin playing in September as the nationwide rollout continues.

Luzon accounts for 225 teams, including 98 in the U11 category and 127 in U13.

The Visayas has 125 teams, composed of 58 U11 and 67 U13 sides.

Mindanao has the largest contingent with 268 teams, including 130 in U11 and 138 in U13.

The PFF said the scale of participation reflects demand for regular youth competitions and its effort to bring organized football closer to communities nationwide.

Unlike programs centered primarily on training sessions or occasional tournaments, the RFA Youth League is designed to give young players consistent competition where they can gain experience and measure their development against their peers.

PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez said reviving youth competitions is central to building a stronger and more sustainable player-development pathway.

“The RFA Youth League is about bringing youth competitions back to the communities and making sure that young players in every region have a real, structured chance to play and to be seen,” Gutierrez said.

“We are giving our regional associations the tools and the support to run consistent competitions, and in turn, we expect a clearer picture of the talent coming up across the country.”

The league also strengthens the role of regional football associations as the foundation of the country’s football development system.

Holding competitions closer to where players live and train gives more children access to organized football while allowing coaches and regional associations to identify and develop emerging talent.

The program falls under the FIFA Talent Development Scheme and is designed to provide regular playing opportunities while establishing a structured system for identifying talent nationwide.

The RFA Youth League is open to boys and girls.

“TDS gives us a framework to make sure talent identification isn’t left to chance,” Gutierrez said.

“Through the RFA Youth League, every region now has a consistent competition to draw from, so we’re not just hoping to find players, we’re building a system that finds them.”

Gutierrez said the league’s reporting and monitoring requirements are intended to create a long-term development system rather than a series of one-off events.

“We are building habits of documentation, player monitoring, and coordination between the RFAs and the national federation, so that whoever is identified through this league has a defined pathway forward, whether that’s the Center of Development or the youth national team pool,” he said.

The RFA Youth League’s emphasis on 8v8 football and futsal is part of the PFF’s broader push to use small-sided formats as an entry point for young players.

The federation successfully pushed for the introduction of 8v8 football at the 2026 Palarong Pambansa, where the format made its debut in the country’s premier national school-based athletic competition.

The Philippines also hosted the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in 2025, bringing elite international futsal competition to the country.

Both initiatives were intended to broaden participation and exposure to small-sided formats at different levels of Philippine football.

By using 8v8 football and futsal in the RFA Youth League, the PFF is extending that campaign to communities where facilities and resources vary significantly.

The approach is based on the federation’s position that small-sided games can lower barriers to entry for young and beginning players while building the technical foundation needed for higher levels of competition.

For Cavite Regional Football Association President Perry Camba, the league carries added significance because it is the province’s first tournament as a full-fledged PFF member.

CAREFA was formally admitted as a regular PFF member during the 23rd PFF Congress in May 2026.

“Cavite being part of the whole national program of the Philippine Football Federation is actually, I can say, a pride for the Caviteños that we were able to become part of something that will change the entire landscape of football in the Philippines,” Camba said.

In Camarines Norte, REFACAMNOR Football Development Officer Mark Oco cited the league’s potential to expand scouting opportunities at the grassroots level.

“We at REFACAMNOR are very happy with PFF’s initiative. As a Football Development Officer, I’m glad that we can provide more grassroots competitions where we can develop and scout potential players,” Oco said.

Oco said the league could address the lack of exposure that has prevented some local players from being identified.

“It is very important because there are many homegfutrown talents who remain unnoticed due to lack of exposure and competitions. Empowering RFAs gives these players more opportunities to be discovered and developed,” Oco said.

Central Bicol RFA Football Development Officer Russel Brondo described the program as a bridge between community competition and the national team pathway.

“The PFF’s program especially to the grassroots with the RFA YL is indeed a massive move with big impact to the Filipinos especially in football. As the RFAs being the forefront of this initiative this will effectively put an impact and will bridge the development of young Pinoy talents from grassroots towards being the bearer of the national color in this sport,” Brondo said.

Brondo said giving RFAs responsibility for implementation could also improve access for players in underserved communities.

“As this program was entrusted and handled by the RFAs, this will surely make the program a success and will eventually open doors to those aspiring young athletes and pave the way for them to have access to participating in the league especially those who are from far flung areas,” he said.

In Bohol, RFA Football Development Officer Jade Tuyogon said regional associations are well-positioned to bring grassroots programs directly to communities.

“Our RFA really appreciates PFF’s initiatives of asking RFAs to conduct the RFA Youth League. Being at the forefront of grassroots football is both an honor and a responsibility. We are happy to be part of PFF’s goal in developing young footballers in our country,” Tuyogon said.

He said RFAs serve as the link between national programs and their implementation at the local level.

“It is very important because RFAs are closest to clubs and communities. RFAs are the ones who implement many of the programs at the local level with the direction and support of PFF,” he said.

Negros Oriental-Siquijor RFA Deputy General Secretary and Football Development Officer Earl Rodani Villariza also described the league as a significant step for Philippine football.

“I think the RFA Youth League is a big step forward for Philippine football. Putting RFAs at the forefront makes a lot of sense because we are closest to the players, schools, and communities,” Villariza said.

Villariza said age-appropriate small-sided formats can give young players more involvement during matches.

“By running age-appropriate formats like 8v8 football, futsal, and beach football, we give kids more touches, more game time, and a pathway that fits their age and development. It feels empowering and exciting that RFAs are now leading this charge. It brings football closer to home and makes the sport more accessible across the regions,” he said.

He also stressed that empowering regional associations is important to sustaining grassroots development.

“It’s very crucial. Sustainable growth starts from the ground level and going up. When PFF empowers RFAs with structure, support, and trust, we can tailor programs to our local needs while staying aligned with the national vision. RFAs know at the ground level the schools, LGUs, and partners in our area, so we can build consistent leagues, train more coaches, and identify talent early. This empowerment ensures that youth and grassroots football isn’t just a one-off event, but a continuous system that feeds into the future of Philippine football,” he said.

In the Bangsamoro region, Maguindanao RFA President Cabili Sinsuat said financial assistance from the PFF was critical to staging the league in the province.

“We appreciate this initiative from the PFF administration. It gave us the chance to organize this kind of event. With the financial support given to us, it made [the] impossible to be possible,” Sinsuat said.

The Maguindanao RFA is staging an eight-team U13 futsal tournament as part of the league.

Sinsuat said the RFA chose 8v8 football for its U13 category to align with the Department of Education program, while U11 players compete in futsal because many are beginners.

“On our part, we choose to have the 8v8 for our U13 to align in the DepEd program, [which] can help our members better understand this new format. Our U11 is futsal, the majority of the teams are beginners, it suits them, plus parents appreciated this program given by the PFF,” he said.

The nationwide league is intended to address the lack of consistent regional competitions for young players, particularly in areas where playing opportunities have traditionally been limited or informal.

By decentralizing implementation to the RFAs while linking talent identification to the PFF’s national pathway, the program seeks to expand the pool of players who can be scouted and monitored over time.

RFAs in good standing may organize leagues within their respective jurisdictions, fielding eight to 14 teams per age category over a 13-week, round-robin competition period.

The program allows RFAs to choose between two small-sided competition formats — 8v8 football and futsal — depending on the facilities and resources available locally.

An RFA without access to a suitable football field, for example, may conduct its competition through futsal.

PFF tournament regulations serve as a general guide, although RFAs may modify certain provisions to suit local conditions as long as the changes remain consistent with federation policies and league objectives.

The competition follows a round-robin format, with participating teams playing against each other.

Teams receive three points for a victory, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss.

The team with the highest points total at the end of the league is declared champion.

Ties in the standings are broken through goal difference, followed by total goals scored and head-to-head results.

A coin toss or drawing of lots may be used if the teams remain tied.

Participating RFAs must report on the distribution and use of FIFA Football for Schools balls.

They must also submit the names, profiles, and videos of players identified for scouting and comply with PFF child-safeguarding and reporting standards throughout the season.

The PFF is providing RFAs with schedule templates, registration platforms, official certificates, trophies, and medals to support implementation.

The federation will also monitor compliance with competition regulations, safeguarding policies, and financial liquidation requirements.

PFF held a two-day online orientation on July 23-24, 2026, for RFA presidents, general secretaries, and designated Football Development Officers.

The orientation covered league objectives, competition guidelines, and implementation procedures.

A coaches’ and referees’ workshop followed on July 30-31.

The competition will continue through Match Week 13 at the end of November 2026.

Closing and awarding ceremonies will follow before RFAs submit their final reports in the succeeding weeks. (PFF)